Friction-clutch.



PATENTBD DEC. 4, 1906.

S. J. RILEY. FRICTION CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20, 1900.

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ihwoaea 10% No. 837,732. PATENTED DEC. 4, 1906. S. J. RILEY.

FRICTION CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 20. 1906.

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J WfYl/VESSES: J9. INVENTOR Gamma/J R1765 W W BY UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

SAMUEL J. RILEY, OF YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO.

FRICTION-CLUTCH- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 4, 1909 Application filed June 20 1906. Serial No.322,560-

stance, as motor-vehicles, hoisting machincry, and driving-gear ofvarious types To this end the invention contemplates a friction-clutchof a sim 1e and practical construction and having t e parts thereof sorelated that it will insure a smooth positive action without noise orundue vibration.

A further object of the invention is to provide a friction-clutchconstruction wherein the working arts are entirely'housed and protectedagainst dirt and grit, while at the same time are easily assembled,adjusted, and removed.

Also the invention provides a type of clutch easily applied to a shaftand ca a ble of operatin effectually on extremely-lbw or extremely- 'ghspeed shafts. Also the clutch in its action creates no end thrust on theshaft, and while providing a powerful clutching force at the same timeW111 slip if the load exceeds the horse-power of the clutch, therebyavoiding inj to the other parts of the transmitting mec anism orappliances associated therewith.

With these and many other objects in view, which will more readilyappear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the sameconsists in the novel construction, combination, and arran ement ofparts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

The essential features of the invention involved in carrying out theobjects above indicated are necessarily susceptible to structural changewithout departing from the scope thereof; but preferred embodiments ofthe invention are s own in the accompanyin drawings, in whichigure 1 isa longitudinal sectional view of a double-clutch arrangement embodyingan improved construction of friction-clutch made in accordance with thepresent invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail perspective view showingone of the expansible split friction-rings and the pair of frictionthrustcollars associated therewith. Fig. 3 is a sectional View of amodified construction designed for a more powerful clutch and embodyinginterleaved multi le friction-disks for securing a friction-coup ingbetween the driving-shaft and the driven wheel.

Usually the type of clutch covered by the present application is used inpairs for high and low speed transmitting gear such as employed onmotor-vehicles and the like; so

for illustrative purposes there is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings apair of frictionclutches arran ed in the spaced relation which they orinarily occupy upon a common driving-shaft S, so that the said clutchesmay be alternately brought into play or .both

left out of action, as may be desired by the operator.

The essential features of each clutch shown in Fi .'1 of the drawingsare the same; so a speci 0 description of one will sufiice for both, andsimilar reference characters will 3. ply to the same parts in each ofthe same 0 utches.

Referring particularly to the detail construction of the individualclutches shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, the numeral 1 designates thedriven member or wheel, which may be in the form of a pulley orspur-gear, according to the character of transmitting appliances withwhich it is associated. The present invention contemlates mounting thedriven member 1 oosely on the driving-shaft S and to couple it to saidshaft for rotation therewith through the medium of friction devices tobe presently described. The said 'driven member 1 is provided at oneside thereof with a housing-chamber 2, accommodating therein all of theactive friction elements of the clutch, and preferably formed byprojecting from one side of said member .the laterally-offsetcasing-neck 3, exteriorly thread- Lil justed position. throu h themedium of a locking-screw or equiva ent device 7, mounted in thethreaded opening 8 in the flange 5 and binding u on the threadedperiphery of the casing-necii 3, as plainly shown 1n Fig. 1 of thedrawings.

Asa art of the friction elements of the clutch t e latter includes inits eneral organization a fast friction-shaft col ar 9, lying inside ofthe housing-chamber 2 next to the base of said chamber and designedto besecured fast to the driving-shaft S through any of the ordinaryexpedients usually employed for that purpose. In one of the clutchesshown in Fig. 1 of the drawings the shaft-collar 9 is illustrated asbeing provided with a quill or sleeve extension 10, forming a bearin forthe driven member 1 and receiving t e fastening key or feather 11,engaging in the key seat or groove 12, formed 1n the shaft, andproviding an effective form of fastening for securing the collar to theshaft. In the other clutch illustrated in said Fig. 1 of the drawingsthe shaftcollar 9 is illustrated as being made fast with thedriving-shaft by means of a through-pin 13, passing transversely throughthe shaft and radially through the shaft-collar.

Upon each side of the fast shaft-collar 9 is arranged a fiberorequivalent frictionwasher 14, and upon what may be termed the outerside of the shaft-collar, between said collar and the body portion ofthe cap 6, is located the distinctive feature ofthe present invention.This feature resides in the employment of a pair of s aced frictionthrust-collars 15 and 16, ma e of brass or equivalent material, and anexpansible friction-ring 17, interposed between the collars. Both ofsaid collars 15 and 16 are removabl keyed or locked to the driven member1, preferably by locking feathers or keys 18, secured in the inner wallof the casing-neck 3 and engaging in the key-notches 19, formed intheperipheries' of the collars 15 and 16 at diagrammatically oppositepoints. This construction rovides for securely coupling the thrust-colars to the driven member so as to turn with such member, while at thesame time permitting the collars freedom of movement in aateral'direction to admit of free participation in the frictional clutchingaction under the actuating influence of the ex ansible friction-ring17.

e innermost of the thrust-collars 15 lies next to the outerfriction-washer 14 of the shaft-collar, and the outermost thrustcollar.16 lies next to and against the inner side of the flanged ad'usting-cap6. However, both of these co ars are of a duplicate construction and areprovided in their opposingusides. with the dished contact-faces 'ch re29, w ister and frictionally engage with the mo ined sides of theexpansible friction-ring 17.- The friction-ring 17 is of their apiceswith grooves 23, which form a practically continuous seat into which thespring-band 21 is sprung, so as to hold all of the said segmental bl cksassembled in ring form and in abutting relation at their ends.

The expansible split friction-ring 17, constructed as above described,is designed to be keyed or feathered to the driving-shaft S, and this isaccomplished by providing said ring in one of its segments with akey-groove 24, receiving the main shaft key or feather 25, secured fastin the driving-shaft and disposed longitudinally thereof.

Under normal conditions the 'expansible friction-ring is contracted andthe friction elements are left sufficiently loose so that the drivenmember or wheel 1 is unclutched or freed from the shaft S, and to engagethe clutch or throw the same into gear it is sim ply necessary to expandthe conical frictionring between the thrust-collars, with the result ofthrusting such collars laterally into firm frictional engagement withthe fast shaftcollar and with the adjusting-cap 6 of the driven member.This action also necessarily presses the driven member or wheel tightlyupon the shaft-collar. The expanding .0 the friction-ring to accomplishthis action is secured throu h the movement ofa shift abe lengaging memer 26, preferably consisting of a slide-collar mounted upon the shaftand having a keyway 27 taking over the shaft-key 2 which permits thesaid collar to freely sli e lengthwise of the shaft and compels the sameto turn with the latter. The said slide-collar has-a ooved hub 28,designed to receive the usua shipper-lever, and at each side of said hubthe slide collar or member 26 is provided with a tapered wedging-gland29, adapted to be thrust through theoutermost collar 16 and into thefrictionring 17 inside of the circle of segmental clutching-blocks 22.The outer sides of these clutching-blocks are formed with guiding-bevels30 to facilitate the guiding of the gland 29 within the circle ofblocks, so that the radial expansion thereof may be accomplished.

When the Wedging-gland 29 is withdrawn from the split friction-ring, thespring-band 2 1 thereof normally contracts the same, thereby releasingthe frictional grip and disengagimthe clutch.

33y arranging the shiftable enga ing member or slide-collar 26 between t1e paired clutches (shown in Fig. 1 of the drawin s) it is readilyobvious from such figure'of the drawings that the individual clutchesmay be Under conditions where it is desirable to provide a clutch havinga more powerful clutching action the modification shown in Fig. 3 of thedrawings may be resorted to.

' with a driving-shaft, of a drive This modification involves thethought of substituting for the fast shaft-collar 9 a lurality ofinterleaved friction-disks 31 an 32. Any number of these friction-disksmay be employed, according to the power requirements; but with anynumber of such disks the arrangement would be the sameviz., thealternation of friction-disks secured, respectively, to thedriving-shaft S and to the driven member 1. As shown in the drawings,the friction-disks 31 are keyed or splined, as at 33, to the shaft S,and the disk or disks 32 are keyed or splined, as at 34, to the drivenmember 1, and between the contacting faces of said several interleaveddisks are interposed fiber or equivalent construction washers 14*,similar to those described in connection with'Fig. 1 of the drawings. Inthe modification described the action of the expansible splitfriction-ring and the thrustcollars operating therewith is the same asalready described for the other form of the invention.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, action, and manyadvantages of the herein-described friction-clutch will be readilyapparent without further description.

I claim L i 1 1. In a friction-clutch, the combination member loose onthe shaft, thrust-collars interlocked with said driven member, anexpansible friction-ring interposed between said'thrust-collars andinterlocked with the shaft, and an engaging member for expandingsaidring.

2. In a friction-clutch, the combination with the driving-shaft, of adriven member having a housing-chamber and an adjustable cap coveringsaid chamber, thrust-collars arranged'in said chamber and interlockedwith the driven member, a normally contracted expansible friction-ringinterposed between said thrust-collars and loosely interlocked with theshaft, and an engaging member for expanding said ring.

3. In a friction-clutch, the combination of the driving-shaft carrying afriction element therewith,- a driven member provided with ahousing-chamber receiving the said friction element of the shaft, anadjustable cap carried by the driven member and closing thehousing-chamber thereof, a pair of friction thrust-collars arranged inthe housing-chamber between the friction element of the shaft and saidadjusting-cap, said thrustcollars being loosely interlocked with thedriven member, an expansible split frictionring interposed between saidthrust-collars and loosely interlocked with the shaft, and an engagingmember for expanding said ring.

4. In a friction-clutch, the combination of a shaft carrying therewith afriction element, a driven member having an offstanding casing-neck anda housing-chamber within said neck, a flanged adjusting-cap adjustablymounted on the casing-neck and provided with locking means, a pair offriction thrustcollars arranged in the space between the frictionelement on the shaft and the said adjusting-cap, said collars beingloosely interlocked with the casing-neck, an expansible splitfriction-ring interposed between said collars and having a Wedgingengagement therewith, said ring being loosely interlocked with the shaft,and a shiftable engaging mem-' ber for expanding the ring.

5. In a friction-clutch, the combination of a shaft carrying a frictionshaft-collar, a driven member loosely mounted on the shaft and providedwith an oifstanding casing-neck and a housing-chamber therein, said housing-chamber receiving said shaft-collar, friction-washers arranged onboth sides of said collar, a pair of thrust-collars arranged at one sideof the shaft-collar and feathered to said casing-neck, saidthrust-collars being provided with dished contact-faces, across-sectionally-conical expansible friction ring interposed betweenthe thrust-collars, an adj usting-cap mounted on the casing-neck andarranged over the outermost thrust-collar, and a shiftable engagingmember for expanding the friction-ring. v

6. In a frictionclutch, he combination of a shaft carrying a fastshaft-collar, a driven member provided with a housing-chamber receivingsaid collar, an adjusting-cap arranged to cover said chamber,v apair ofthrust-collars interposed, between the shaftcollar and the adjusting-capand loosely interlocked with the driven member, said I thrust-collarsbeing provided at their oppos ing sides with dished contact-faces, acrosssectionally conical expansible split frictionriii inter osedbetween the thrust-collars, an a shif able enga in member consisting ofa slide-collar sli aby mounted on the shaft andprovided with awedging-gland ada ted to enter within the center opening of thefriction-ring.

7. In a friction-clutch, a driving-shaft, a driven member,thrust-collars arranged within said member and loosely interlockedtherewith, an cxpansible friction-ring interposed between said collarsand consisting of a circular series of segmental clutchingblocks and aretractile spilt spring-band sprung onto and about said blocks, andmeans for expandin said ring.

8. In a friction-c utch, a shaft, a driven member, thrust-collarsloosely interlocked with the driven member and movable against opposingfrictional surfaces, said thrust-cob the peripheral seats thereof, andmeans for lars being provided at their opposing. sides expanding saidring. [O with inclined contact-faces, an expansible In testimony whereofI hereunto aflix 'my friction-ring splined on the shaft andconsistsignature [in the presence of two Witnesses.

ing of a circular series of segmental ero'ss- SAMUEL J. RILEY.sectionally-conical clutching-blocks having Witnesses:

peripheral seats, and a retractile split spring- J. P. FRANCIS,

band sprung about this series of blocks into J. M. MILLER.

